Wrench



0 i g a w w W J. N. HORNER June 22, 1937.

WRENCH Filed May 28, 1955 Mew/@97 Jsom Mr/zen Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STATES WRENCH Jason N. Horner, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Crane 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of II- linois Application May 28, 1935, Serial No. 23,871

4 Claims.

My invention is directed toward a particular type of wrench which is suitable for the gripping and handling of pipe or similar round or tubular material, as for example, in connection with certain operations of fabrication, such as bending,

flanging, threading, and the like.

v It is well known that in the matter of providing for the safe, quick and convenient handling of relatively heavy, large diameter pipe, that when the latter is being threaded, for example, or otherwise fabricated, a positive and effective means for gripping the same is an absolute necessity. This is especially applicable for such work where the size and weight of the material requires that it should be done upon a machine in cooperation with a balanced crane running on an overhead track or trestle or similar supporting means.

Heretofore it has been found that the handling of heavy and large size diameter pipe has been extremely cumbersome and quite frequently very unsafe because of the inability of gripping the pipe in an effective manner without damage thereto or to otherwise avoid slipping. At the 25 same time, the grip while it must necessarily be positive, it should preferably be such as to be accomplished relatively quickly and with a minimum of effort, in addition to being readily releasable by the user when it is subsequently re- 30 quired.

. Therefore, it is one of the important objects of this invention to provide a wrench which will provide for such positive gripping and likewise will permit quick and convenient removability 5 when the use of the wrench is no longer desired, as for example, after the pipe being handled has been properly positioned in a pipe threading machine or is ready for the subsequent fabrication which may follow.

Another important object is to provide in a wrench of this character for a positive grip which does not flatten or distort the pipe, and by means of a counterbalanced supporting means lessens the likelihood of an accident.

45 Another important object of this invention is to provide for a wrench in which the jaws may be readily removable, adjustable and/or renewable to suit the conditions of use. It is a further object to provide for a wrench which will have a body or 50 fixed jaw that is readily interchangeable with numerous and variable sizes of jaws, depending upon the size and weight of pipe to be handled.

Another equally important object is to provide for a relatively heavy wrench which may be easily ;55 supported from above by means of a running crane or similar counterbalanced support, and further in which the wrench may be conveniently guided by means of an extension or handle to the position desired with respect to the machine to be used for ultimate fabrication. Likewise, such handle may be designed specially or lengthened to provide the necessary balancing of the complete wrench assembly so as to maintain the latter in a preferably horizontal position or in such angle of inclination as may best suit its subsequent usage.

Another object is to provide for a wrench in which the pipe, or similar article to be handled, after being placed within position in the cradle of the body may be quickly and securely clamped by a cam or similar actuating means so as to be firmly and positively locked in position within the opposing jaws.

Another important object is to provide for a wrench in which ready adjustability is accom- 20 plished by'quickly removable means without the requirement of excessive strength and effort on the part of the operator, and in which the principal gripping load is supported by positive means independent of the said adjustment.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in connection with the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an exterior side view showing a mounting of the wrench in connection with a weighted or counterbalanced supporting means in which the latter is mounted upon a track or trestle and preferably suspended from overhead.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary exterior view in partial section showing in more detail the assembly and operation of the combination comprising the head, jaws, locking cam, case, lever, etc.

Fig. 3 is a sectional assembly view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Directing attention to Fig. 2, the wrench head gripping means comprises a body I suitably constructed for pivotal assembly with a jaw 2. It is preferable, although obviously not absolutely essential, that the body should be provided with a guiding and balancing handle 3 suitably attached thereto by the bolts 4 and positioned within the groove or channel ID. The body I is preferably provided with an overhead support attaching means, such as an eye bolt 5, adaptable for connection to a cable or cord 6 mounted in peripheral relation upon a pulley l in combination with a suspended counterbalanced weight 8, the pulley 1 being rotatably mounted upon the usual 55 overhead track 9 by means of the conventional trolley wheel i I, all of which is more clearly shown in the upper portion of Fig. 1.

Reverting again to Fig. 2, the jaw 2 is provided with a preferably integral extension shank l2 which for a portion of its length is of a divided or bifurcated construction with ends connected as illustrate-d. By means of the pin l3 the bifurcated shank i2 is pivotally connected and preferably placed in adjustable relation to the depending shank portion M, the latter extending within the space provided by the divided shank portion as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The pin is is preferably provided with a con venient looping ring l3a for purpose of, quick withdrawal from the hole l3b as well as to facilitate quick replacement where necessary in order to properly adjust the jaws Z'for the diameter of pipe required. As shown in Fig. 2 there may be provided a number of holes [3b and the sizes thereof also may vary depending respectively upon the number of gripping adjustments desired and also upon the weight and bulk of the material to be handled.

The body I is provided with the customary positioning means l5 forming a cradle or V-portion therein having a lower portion serrated as at I6 in order to better grip the pipe A and also restrain rotation thereof. Similarly, .the engaging extension I? of the jaw 2 is provided with a serrated face 58 for the same purpose. The respected serrated faces 56 and I8 may preferably be inserts formed of a hardened renewable metal, and suited to comply withthe conditions of use. Of course, the jaws may be of any other desired form in order to conveniently handle special shaped material. I

For the purpose of providing a degree of gripping flexibility within the jaw 2, a channel shaped portion or looking case i9 is provided with positive engagement with the lower end of the extension it by means of the bolts 2|, the pin is serving as a pivot in which the weight of the jaw is supported by the springs Zia. The tension of the latter is therefore adjustable depending upon the degree of flexibility desired in locking the cam hereinafter described in the gripping position, considering the weight of piping or material to be handled, and also the avoidance of flattening the pipe.

In the foregoing paragraph, for convenience of reference, the member 5 9 has been referred to as a locking case. Obviously, this member need not necessarily take the case form disclosed, but may be modified considerably without departing from the function intended, that is, serving as a flexible or resilient stop or rest for the movable jaw 2.

At this point, it seems desirable that attention be particularly directed to a very essential element of my invention. Reverting to Fig. 2, the locking case it which, as previously mentioned, is preferably made of a channel cross-section, is provided at the end portion opposite to that in which it is attached to the end portion M, with transversely positioned journalling means 22a which, as shown in Fig. 3, extend rotatably through both vertical walls forming the channel of the locking case 59. The journalled shaft 22a is provided for purpose of rotation with the extension handle 22 at right angles to the said shaft and preferably integral therewith, thus forming a locking lever for the purpose hereinafter described. 7

A preferably circular locking cam 23 positioned between the walls of the channeled locking case I9, is mounted upon the pin 22a and attached eccentrically in non-rotatable relation therewith. It will'thus be apparent that with the locking lever 22 in the position shown in the dotted lines upon turning the same in a clockwise direction of rotation,vthe eccentrically drilled locking cam will likewise be rotated thus taking the position shown in dotted lines. Such movement by the cam forces the jaw 2 to take the position shown in dotted lines and gripping the pipe firmly as indicated, the pin i 3 serving as a pivot upon which the jaw 2 is centered in its upward arcuate movement.

It is obvious that the amount of displacement of the jaw 2 will of course depend upon the amount of eccentricity resorted to in fixedly attaching the journalling pin 22a to the locking cam 23. It is thus apparent that by the exercise of only a slight amount of effort a relatively great lifting and gripping load may be exerted in holding the pipe A in the position required.

It is further evident that I have accomplished quick, convenient and positive meansformaintaining a heavy wrench in locked relation about cylindrical or tubular material, with a provision for quickly releasing the jaws whenuse of the wrench is no longer necessary. Obviously, this novel construction aids greatly in accomplishing convenience and celerity in performing the necessary operations upon the material to be handled.

Thus, assuming that it is now necessary to operate the same, the wrench is lifted and guided to the proper level by means of the counterbalance support 8, the wrench head'is placed about the pipe and held in desired position by the guiding handle 3 so that the locking cam with the assistance of one hand of the operator upon the against the underside of the jaw 2, thus elevating the latter and obtaining a positive grip but avoiding excessive pressure which might otherwise flatten the outer contour of the pipe, and in addition by means of the counterbalanced supporting arrangement, the chance for accidents occurring is thus materially minimized.

To those skilled in this art, it is of course plain that modifications may be made in the details of construction, arrangement and mere matters of 7 said means the said movable jaw is arcuately moved so as to close the said jaw upon an article being gripped between the said. jaws.

2. In a wrench of the class described comprising a handle having a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a lower depending extension from the said fixed jaw for pivotally supporting the said movable jaw, a locking case resiliently attached to the said extension, eccentrically mounted means upon said locking case and engaging the said movable jaw whereby upon actuation of the said mounted means the said movable jaw is displaced so as 375 lever 22 may then be turned so as to rotate {4.0-

to close the said jaw resiliently upon the article being gripped.

3. In a wrench of the class described comprising a handle having a fixed jaw, a movable jaw pivotally supported upon a lower depending extension from the said fixed jaw, a locking case resiliently attached adiustably to the said extension, eccentric means upon said locking case and engaging the said movable jaw whereby upon actuation of the said eccentric means the said movable jaw is arcuately displaced so as to close the said jaw resiliently upon an article being gripped between the said jaws.

4. In a wrench of the class described comprising a handle having a fixed jaw, a movable L- shaped jaw having a plurality of openings in its shank for selective connection to a lower depending extension from the said fixed jaw, a pin passing respectively through one of said openings and a complementary opening in said extension, a locking case resiliently attached to the said extension, displacement means mounted upon said locking case and engaging the said movable jaw whereby upon actuation of the said displacement means the said movable jaw is arcuately moved so as to close the said jaw upon an article being gripped.

JASON N. HORNER. 

